Don't take anything for granted!

"The classic parasol has been around in its current form for more than 5000 years. That makes it about time for an update,” Dirk Wynants claims. The classic parasol has become so familiar that hardly anyone would stop to consider how the design could be improved. But that is a designer’s job. The courage to question familiar values and certainties lies at the root of creativity and innovation. Dirk Wynants carried out a critical analysis of existing parasols and realised that a number of annoying aspects could be approached from a totally different angle.

Dirk Wynants points out that the underside of a normal parasol, the most visible part, is the ugliest. The struts, slats or other technical components are often suspended just above head height. This creates a visual disturbance. Why not put the mechanics on the upper side, out of sight of the people sitting under the parasol? Shutting a classic parasol is not easy. You have to escape from under the descending textile cover. Dirk Wynants believes that this could be improved upon. The shape of a classic parasol makes it very susceptible to falling over in the wind. This leads to the use of clumsily large, heavy feet for stability. The innovative Inumbra parasol catches much less wind. It was subjected to wind tunnel tests and its wind stability can be guaranteed up to 7 Beaufort.

Dirk Wynants points out that the underside of a normal parasol, the most visible part, is the ugliest. The struts, slats or other technical components are often suspended just above head height. This creates a visual disturbance. Why not put the mechanics on the upper side, out of sight of the people sitting under the parasol? Shutting a classic parasol is not easy. You have to escape from under the descending textile cover. Dirk Wynants believes that this could be improved upon. The shape of a classic parasol makes it very susceptible to falling over in the wind. This leads to the use of clumsily large, heavy feet for stability. The innovative Inumbra parasol catches much less wind. It was subjected to wind tunnel tests and its wind stability can be guaranteed up to 7 Beaufort.

The classic parasol has been around in its current form for more than 5000 years. That makes it about time for an update!